Little Wonders: Year End Reflection

Looking back on the past year, I can honestly say it has been a great one. The last 365 days have been filled with many new adventures, self discovery, new and old friendships, lessons of love, forgiveness and moving forward. As I write this last post of 2007, I know I am truly blessed with the great people who surround me - my family and friends. I now realize that I can be halfway around the world and still never really leave Canada because my heart is with those whom I care most about.

I am most thankful for my family, for always being there with support and wisdom - but most importantly, for their unconditional love. When I think about the true meaning of success, I think about my parents. How they were able to come to a new land with no money, and raise 3 little girls on so little, and yet be able to give them so much. I know that I can never fully comprehend how much hardship they have endure, and how many sacrifices they made, to be able to give my sisters and I the opportunities I often take for granted. I only know that the hardships they faced are mountains compared to my problems today, and yet, they never belittle my problems - but try to help me see past them. If I can become even half the person they are, I think the world would be a better place.

I'm thankful for my sisters, who are also my best friends. Somehow through the years, through pranks and teasing when we were little, we have somehow become young women. We share secrets, we share hopes and dreams, we share clothes and of course advice and wisdom, on anything from school to clothes to boys. We are very protective of each other, and may god help you if you hurt one of us! When I think of our times together, I think of laughter. My mom always asks, "Don't you girls ever stop giggling?" And it's true, when we're around each other, we just can't stop laughing and talking. I know I can be 100% honest with them and not feel judged. The bestest pals any girl could ask for.

Of course, my cousins who are always there for me as well. Basically, they are an extension of my sisters. All the above apply to them as well! I still remember that day when "it" happened. I remember Elaine and Con, hauled me off to Sobey's and we stocked up on Hagan Daaz ice cream (one bucket per person), Elaine made her specialty brownies with chocolate and peanut butter chips, and then we cut out pictures of hotties from the "Cosmopolitan" magazine and pasted them up on our living room wall. *sigh* You guys are the best and I miss our Cedarvale times!

My friends. You guys keep me sane when everything is going crazy, and you make fun times even funner :). I love surrounding myself with people who make me laugh, and that's what we did this year - laugh a lot. Anything from being stuck in the lab for 15 hours straight working on a term report, or our crazy shopping trips (whether in a mall, in the states, or in the UW store), going out for food, traveling in a foreign country with nothing but our Lonely Planet guides, hiking in a rain forest, or any other random ideas. You guys make everything more fun, and I can't wait for our last term for more laughs. My new friends whom I met from traveling, from work, and just randomly. I hope there are many more memories and fun times to share in the upcoming year.

It's funny how when I was little, the world seemed so simple and divided into neat sections. I remember one time I was in kindergarten, I thought that after I "graduated" kindergarten, I would go to university, then live happily every after. LOL... what a strange and funny kid I was (though I doubt I've changed too much...lol...) Imagine my shock when I found out I had to go through grades 1 - 12, and OAC AND university would be another 5 years. Now here I am, almost at the end of that journey, having gone through many obstacles and heart aches to get where I am - and it is truly the journey and not the destination that mattered. At the end of this part of the journey, although I believe I have grown and learned so much, I also realize how little I know of the world and life in general. Life really is a never ending lesson, and I hope I never lose this sense of wonder and yearn for learning.

I think one of the things that affected me most was the opportunity to travel earlier this year. I don't think I really had much expectations when I arrived in Singapore because I wasn't sure of what to expect. I didn't even know that I would be able to travel as much as I did. Luckily I had some great travel buddies, who were about as budget conscious as me - if not more so. So I got to see a lot of different places. For me, traveling is fascinating because I get to learn so much about different people and cultures. Every new destination is a new adventure with its own history, culture and people. The great thing is, there is so much to discovery - whether it be swimming in the ocean, scuba diving with sting rays, climbing a mountain, sleeping in caves, witnessing tribal rituals, or just soaking in the wonders of just being alive at that time and place.

When I visited countries which were torn apart by recent wars, such as Cambodia and Vietnam, not only did it make me realize how lucky I was, but I was also deeply humbled by the strength in the people. These people were able to rebuild their lives, when nothing was left and everything was taken from them. It also made me see how little childhood some children have. There were so many children, but they have to grow up so fast when living in such poverty - in order to provide for their family. Living in Canada, I didn't realize how oblivious I was to the poverty that affected the daily lives of so many people in the world. I will always be thankful for this eye opening opportunity. I hope that one day I will be able to give back to the places where my parent grew up, because a part of me is from there, too.

I'd like to end this post with some pictures from 2007 and the lyrics to Little Wonders by Rob Thomas. I believe that although there are big moments in our lives, it is in the little things which happen everyday which shape our lives and the people who surround us. Happy New Year to everyone, and all the best in 2008! Cheers! :)


Little Wonders - Rob Thomas

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and i don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we?ll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away some how
but i can not forget
the way i feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain

FW: Indoor Soccer Update

We had our pre-holiday celebration / farewell party to the co-op students (myself and Roy) last Friday and it was a lot of fun. You can't go wrong with Momma's Pizza, beer and wine. I think the highlight of the party was "the box." Let me explain the significance of "the box." There's this case in one of the associates cube and is used to ship some sort of equipment around. For some reason, my bosses started betting one another that they could fit in "the box." In the end, this activity amused us for a good 5 hours, as we taunted each member of the office to get into "the box." It was really funny, and when I tried to explain it to my sisters, they just told me that engineers are so weird. LOL.... below is a picture of one of my bosses in "the box." We were even joking around that my boss should take "the box" in for co-op interviews, just to see the reaction when you tell the student to get in "the box." :p

Anyway, so the title of this post relates to the game synopsis that have been sent out to my soccer team throughout the season from our fearless captain. It has been a great season and I think that our soccer team has grown and improved tremendously. We also made it into the play offs. We are placed 3rd (out of 6....) so things are looking good. I am so proud of my team. Some of us are more skilled about soccer than others, mainly the guys. I remember when I was asked to join, I said that I hadn't kicked a ball since I was forced to in gym class and very limited coordination. The guys were cool and said that it was fine, and we are just in it for the fun of it. Anyway, I believe that we have come a long way since our first game way back in September. We have lots of fun, we play fair, and we are always improving.

I have decided to include in the post, all the game synopsis I could dig up in my email from the beginning of our season, until the last game on December 20th.

I believe there will be 2 teams next term. I also believe team names will be Decepticons and Autobots, and the slogan is something along the lines of, "Let's roll, Megatron.".... I have no idea what this all means, but the fellas were really excited about it. Anyway, the following posts are courtesy of our fearless soccer captain and leader.

Below is a picture of most of my teammates. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it this game, but I was there in spirit! :)


~Enjoy!!

26 October 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. Foot Soldiers
Score 0 - 2

Quick Snapshot: Another lost, but we are showing improvement.

Player of the game: Nassim :P

The game was an even battle between the teams. We had way too many shots ring of the goal posts. Richard was a huge energy burst and Kinza took the hits and bruises. We should also recognize Alex B. for injurying or frustrating atleast one player from the other team every game.

We have minor improvements to make, before we can start winning games. one is that we need more girls to play, so if anyone knows anyone girls who can kick a ball, ask them to join. Lastly, we need to stop hitting goal posts and hitting the back of the net.

That's it. That's how we will win.

Good game everyone


2 November 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. Fernando FC
Score 0 - 6

Quick Snapshot: Own goal. Team mate gets knocked out and we are shorthanded
(once again).... Ok, so 0-6 doesnt look so bad anymore.

Player of the game: Everyone? Noone?

Even though i wasn't there, i heard some stories about yesterdays game. Surprisingly, we were short in the guys department and this hurt us a lot. First half ended at 0-2. Advantage Fernando FC.

Second half, the stories just got worse. Kinza gets a ball booted in the face by our own acting captain. White lights and a bruised nose are a result. An own goal happened. This kinda seems like a routine thing for us now. Roy tried his best in net, but with little offense to stop the onslaught, 0-6 is considered a fairly okay score.

As "captain" i will try and come up with strategies for next weeks game and I'm gonna guarantee our team will have one goal next game.

9 November 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. The Incredibles
Score 2 - 4

Quick Snapshot: Blue Walls Pads as nets? ... Seriously?

Player of the game: Chris Cambell for his two goals

Since most of us were there, i wont go into detail. We lost to The Incredibles 2 - 4. The game was good and foruntately no one was injured by Alex B.

Next game we play Panic, which we have not faced yet. Everybody has played at least one game and we're slowly getting better. Also, on a high note, we have as many goals scored as own goals. Congrats, everyone!

See you all next week,


26 November 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. Gerry Hatrics
Score 1 - 1

Quick Snapshot: Holy Smokes!

Player of the game: Scott Fraser, but i think it's necessary we mention Alex
B. as well.

IBI Group came out strong in the first half of the game. Even play kept Gerry Hatrics struggling to initiate any real offensive threat in the first half..of the first half. At this time, Numair was able to break free from GH's defense and fire a shot that caught the goalie off guard giving IBI a 1 - 0 lead. Nassim, known for her ability to stop balls with her nose almost scored a goal before the half as well, but was unforuntately stopped by the goalie.

Not expecting to be down to IBI, the Gerry Hatrics offensive onslaught began but were all subdued by Scott Fraser making key saves that kept the score 1 - 0 at the half.

The second half was met with the same intensity by Gerry Hatrics, but not by IBI. if it was not For Scott's sensational goal tending, the score could have easily been lop-sided. With time winding down and with multiple shots on net by Gerry hatrics, it looked as if IBI Group was going to defeat the only undefeated team in the league.

This was not meant to be.

Gerry Hatrics was able to throw the ball on net and unfortunately hit Alex
B., which found the back of the net. Alex B. mumbled a few profanities while Nicola, Ricardo, Catherine and Alvaro played excellent defense. Kinza, Roy and Nassim played well creating
great offensive opportunities throughout the game.

The scored ended 1 - 1 and IBI team should be proud for tying with the top
team in the league.

Next game is against Foot Soldiers, who defeated IBI 2 - 0 in their last
meeting.

Alex. B is now in the running to be the leader in own goals against IBI. Unforutnately, he has a lot of competition. And to commemerate his goal, I have found a perfect YouTube video to reward Alex.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5879759145636232499

30 November 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. Foot Soldiers
Score 3 - 0

Quick Snapshot: We're on a roll people

Player of the game: Scott Fraser [again]. Shut out, plus scoring a goal from
our own end...impressive

IBI Group was ready play. Missing the intensity from Alvaro and the defense of Ricardo, IBI Group went to Richard Chang, who gladly helped (but probably wished he didn't after rolling his ankle in the second half).

Foot soldiers played with the minimum amount of players for the first half and IBI took advantage. With crisp passing and good ball movement, IBI had several chances to score. It was only when Scott took a goal kick from his crease, which easily passed through the goalie legs, did IBI loosen up.

Richard Chang quickly followed up with a precision shot that gave IBI a 2 - 0 lead at the end of the first half. 2 members of the foot soldiers team entered into the game in the second half, which kinda balanced the game play (but not really cause were so awesome). It was in the second half that Richard Chang rolled his ankle, Numair got body checked (again) and Kinza and Alex had excellent chances to score but were unable to put it pass the keeper. Half way through, Numair shot the ball, which deflected off one of the defenders and went pass the goalie. Nicola and Catherine played strong defense subduing several Foot Soldier attacks and Nassim and Roy are eagerly trying to score goals and are coming very close. The game ended in a 3 - 0 victory for IBI Group, and we currently sit in 4th place.

Next game is against Fernando FC, who defeated IBI 6 - 0 in their last meeting. They are the only team that IBI has yet to win or tie against.

After a dismal 1 - 4 start, IBI is now 3 - 4 -1.

7 December 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. Fernando FC
Score: 1 - 5

Quick Snapshot: After going 2 - 0 - 1, Fernando FC proved that we are still
human.

Player of the game: uhhhhh.... Nassim is excused from POG because of the treats she left us. :) So she is not POG.

IBI was ready to play, but so were Fernando FC. Fernando scored three quick goals in the first half and IBI could never recover. Mr. Green Socks, No. 14 and with the exception of the Mr. Clean look-a-like, were Fernando FC guys who were way to aggressive and played dirty which started to get IBI players pretty mad.

In the second half, things didn't get much better. IBI scored a single goal late in the second half, but was countered by two more by Fernando FC. Foul play increased on behalf of Fernando and curse words and trash talk was exchanged at some times.

Mr. Clean was very impressed by the girls on our team. Good job guys...err, i mean girls.

..Oh yea...the ref sucked yesterday.

Our next game is against Incredibles, who it seems are our rivals.

14 December 2007
Game: IBI Group vs. Incredibles
Score: 2 - 1

Quick Snapshot: A shot to the gut, some shoving and cussing, but overall we got the win.

Player of the game: We got two stars this week. Alvaro for game winning goal and yellow card. And Nicola for absolutely demolishing that girl and then apologizing.

I have to keep this quick cause i have work to do. We scored two goals in the first half. one power shot by Chris Campbell and one clever shot by Alvaro. incredibles followed up with a quick one timer that put the score at 2-1 in the first half.

To sum up the second half, Roy and some dude from the Incredibles got in an arguement and yellow cards were issued to Alvaro and "some dude." No goals were scored in the second half.

Congragulations IBI Group, we made the playoffs!

Our next game is against panic @ 8:30. A win and a loss buy Footsoldiers and
we'll be in third.


21 December 2007
Quick Snapshot: Congrats Catherine for scoring your first goal.

Player of the game: Um, Catherine? Yea obviously. I would like to give honourable mention to my fingers as they are recovering well from a brutal attack.

The first half had a distinct change as our defense and forwards switched positions. Albatross and Megatron were putting huge amounts of pressure on Footsoldiers. Alex came close of scoring a goal three times but couldn't find back of the net. Catherine however broke free of the defender early in the game and shot the ball past the keeper and gave IBI a 1-0 lead. The
second goal by IBI is vague in memory. I dont remember how it went in, but i heard shouts and congragulations being given to Alvaro. So congrats Alvaro for you're second goal this season. The first half ended with IBI up 2-0.

Footsoldiers came a bit stronger in the second half and that guy dressed in baby blue (literally all baby blue) was floating and wisking by us and caught Numair off guard as he kept Footsoldiers in the game with a goal. Numair tried taking the game into his own hands for 30 seconds before almost scoring on himself and then decided to stay in net for the teams sake. He then felt the awesome power of a power strike that caugth his hand between the ball and the goal post. Numair didn't cry but he didn't like the pain either.

The game ended in a 2-1 win for IBI Group. Also, Gerry Hatrics lost to Incredibles and Fernando FC beat Panic, thus the rankings at the end of the season are:

1. Fernando FC
2. Gerry Hatrics
3. IBI Group (YAY!)
4. Footsoldiers
5. Incredibles (eliminated from playoffs)
6. Panic (eliminated from playoffs)

A quick note: After speaking with XTSC reps and with players who have played with XTSC before, the playoff game is on January 10th and the schedule is.

6:30 - Fernando FC vs. Footsoldiers
7:30 - IBI Group vs. Gerry Hatrics
8:30 - Winner of 6:30 Game vs. Winnger of 7:30 game.

This e-mail has gone on long enough. I hope the final season celebration was
good.

**side note: We decided to give nicknames to everyone. I am Albatross (long story)...
----------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Holidays! :)
Remember, don't drink and drive.

In Her Shoes

********** SPOILER WARNING ******************

You know there is nothing like a snow storm to feel cozy and comfortable at home. So this weekend was a little hectic with moving Carolyn, snow shoveling, hair cut, frantically looking for my health card and SIN card through all my boxes after not using it for the last 8 months and putting in a "safe" place. After work on Friday, Con and I took the GO train home to b.town. We rented this movie, along with "The Painted Veil" and "The Good German" and watched them this weekend. I read "In her shoes" a while back, and I really loved the book. Unfortunately, books turned movies can often be a disappointment for me. It's not so much that the movie turns out different than I imagined, it's that I feel what I thought might have been the "essence" of the book is partly lost.

Anyway, I really liked the way this movie turned out! In a nutshell, its about 2 sisters who seem to have nothing in common, but their shoe size and love for shoes. Rose is the older sister, who is honest, sensible and responsible. She is a workaholic lawyer and she cares for little sister Maggie. Maggie, is gorgeous and thinks that she can use her sexuality to get whatever she wants. She is reckless, short tempered and manipulative. Rose always helps Maggie out of whatever sticky situation she may have gotten herself into, but Maggie crosses the line when she sleeps with Rose's boyfriend.

Rose kicks Maggie out of her apartment and the Maggie is forced to grow up and be more responsible. However, Maggie discovers a long lost grandmother and she goes to see her, in hopes of milking her for all she's worth, since Rose is no longer taking care of her. This sets the scene for the rest of the movie.

What I love about this movie is that it captures the essence of what I felt when I read this book. About loving someone and giving them second chance after second chance, for no other reason, than because you are family and because you love them. This is a little synopsis of each of the main characters:

Maggie - We first see her as spoiled rotten and selfish. After moving in with her grandmother, who promised to match her earnings if she was able to work at the local hospital, learns to be more responsible. She even discovers traits and skills she never really knew she could put to use to help others. She also learns how wrong she was, and how much she really missed Rose.

Rose - We first see her as sensibler, serious, no-nonsense lawyer. She has an affair with one of the associates and it goes bitterly wrong when he ends up in bed with Maggie. Not wanting to face the scandal, she takes time off and becomes a dog walker and really enjoys it. She also starts dating Simon Stein, one of her colleagues who had a crush on her, but she never gave him a chance. Rose learns to enjoy life outside the office and also discovers joys in her life. On a side note, I was a little surprised with who they chose for Simon. I had imagined him to be short-ish, balding and a little pudgy (from the book's description) - but, nope. Simon was pretty cute - but, I guess that's Hollywood.

Ella - A very introverted woman who tries to occupy her time so that she doesn't have anytime left over to worry about other aspects of her life - such as, her daughter who passed away and the grand daughters she never got to know. Even though she knows the reasons behind Maggie's "visit" she feels guilt because she was never able to spend time and get to know her grand daughters, and forgives her when she catches Maggie trying to steal from her. She even offers incentive for Maggie work and continues to care for her and becomes her friend.

This story is about love, forgiveness and most importantly, the special bond between sisters. Similar to Maggie and Rose, my sisters are my best friends. They are the people who I want to tell first when something exciting happens. They are the ones who I can always count on, no matter what the situation. They keep me grounded and always give me an honest perspective. When my world comes crashing down on me, they are always there - with wisdom, with tissues, with chocolate chip brownies and haagan daaz ice cream, but mostly with a supporting ear to just listen. I would do anything in the world to protect them or make them happy and I know they would do the same for me. Although I'm the oldest, Con is definitely the most responsible one. Carolyn is still the baby. I'm not really sure what I am.... Perhaps the more adventurous one? I think I'm more of the risk taker in my family - having said that, I do come from a very conservative family, so it's all relative.

Having written that, I know you girls don't read my blog, but I love you anyway! =) You guys are THE BESTEST BESTS! (note: best is used here as both an adjective and a noun, I'm not making it up! )

"It's not what the world holds for you...

... It's what you bring to it." - Anne of Green Gables the Sequel

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I adore Anne of Green Gables. I loved the entire series, and watched the movie and the sequel many many times, and can watch it many many more times. I will cry at the same parts as I did the first time I watched it, no matter how many times I watch it. :P

Anyways, I think why I like it so much is mostly because of this quote. I guess, sometimes it seems like life might not be as exciting and exotic as we might have once imagined it. There's school, there's work. There's all the stuff in between that we might not have control of. And then life might seem kind of bleak, and you take what you can get. But I guess we forget sometimes that we have a choice - to be proactive, and take control. To take risks and to try something new. To not settle for something mediocre, but reach for what you really want, even if it is out of reach.

I figured I should probably start applying for jobs soon. So I started last week. I didn't go about it the conventional way, through job mine and whatnot - I spent time researching the companies I wanted to work for, and went from there to contacting people who I thought would respond. I think I'm going to stick to this method :) Got an interview almost immediately, and they offered to fly me in to Vancouver for a second interview and for me to see the company and the area. I can't believe it's all happening so fast. I am overwhelmed and completely blown away. I danced around my apartment as soon as I hung up the phone!!!

Even though moving to the west coast is out of my comfort zone, and I am scared. When I am about to move anywhere, I always think back to this quote, "It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it." I like to push my comfort zone, and I find that I am able to bring satisfaction and happiness to almost any situation, and where I am... when I lived in Boston, when I was in Singapore, here in Toronto, my time in Waterloo - I was able to be happy, and meet genuinely nice people who are still my friends today. Your life is what you bring to it, not what is just placed in your lap. So, even though I am scared and excited about this opportunity, I know that things will work out. It's if I want to take the chance or not.

There is still a lot of other factors, such as my friends and family being in Toronto. And I also really love my job now, and the people I work with. So, there is definitely a lot of thought that has to be put into this. But it's nice to have the option there. Choices.... I'm very thankful for being fortunate enough to have them. Life would be easier without them, but definitely less interesting and less satisfying.

Sappy Chinese Songs

I'm not too sure how it is in other languages, but for anyone who has tried to translate a Chinese love song to English can all definitely say there are too many things that have been lost in translation. I'm one of those people who just keep playing and replaying a song that I like until the next song I like comes along. Although this usually only goes on for about a few days.

So yesterday and today, I've been listening to this song called "Promise" by Guang Liang. See, when I listen to Chinese songs, I think in Chinese - so this songs is completely sweet and just makes my heart flutter. Then, I decided to see the translated versions for a couple of the lines I'm not 100 per cent sure about. This completely ruins the song.

See, sappy Chinese love songs don't sound as sappy or corny in Chinese. However, in English, it really makes you wonder what kind of a pathetic-loser-creeper- stalker-dude this guy/girl who wrote or sings this song really is. As my sister puts it, "It's so corny you wonder how any dignified person can sing it."

Anyway, for the sake of amusement and a good laugh, I will post up the translated lyrics. Don't get me wrong, this is a beautiful song. You just have to listen to it and understand it in Chinese - specifically Mandarin. None the less, I will go home and probably learn it by heart by the end of this weekend, if I'm not too tired after rock climbing and enjoying the first snow fall weekend this year :)



[Yue ding - Promise]
[Guang Liang]

[Agreed not to meet for 3 years]
[Use our love to hold the time]
[You laughed and said that this is a test to us]
[To our promise]

[3 years have passed just like that]
[I still return to this place]
[Close my eyes and wait for your appearance]
[Kissing your face in the air]

[I still remember our promise]
[Promise of happiness for whole life]
[The song written for you]
[He even shed tear in secret]

[I still remember our promise]
[I love you even more than before]
[Even the wind laughed at me]
[I think it will tell you that I love you even more]

[3 years have passed just like that]
[I still return to this place]
[Close my eyes and wait for your appearance]
[Kissing your face in the air]

[I still remember our promise]
[Promise of happiness for whole life]
[The song written for you]
[He even shed tear in secret]

[I still remember our promise]
[I love you even more than before]
[Even the wind laughed at me]
[I think it will tell you that I love you even more]

[You will remember our promise]
[Promise of happiness for whole life]
[The song written for you]
[He even shed tear in secret]

[You will remember our promise]
[I love you even more than before]
[Listening to the wind, I smiled too]
[It will sure tell you that I love you even more]

The Memory Keeper's Daughter - a novel

********** SPOILER WARNING************

I just finished reading that novel by Kim Edwards. Actually I've recently been addicted to reading. I just finished reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hossieni and "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. Right now I'm just starting "Breaking the Tongue" by Vyvyane Loh - a novel about Singapore during the second world war.

Anyway, I'm not going to write about all the novels I read about, but I will write about the ones that stand out for me. The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a beautifully written novel that is both very sad and hopeful. Basically it starts off with a young couple who are expecting their first child. The husband is a doctor and he is forced to deliver his children in the middle of a snow storm. The first baby was a healthy little boy but he immediately recognizes the second little with down syndrome. In the 1960's, it was common to send babies with disabilities to institutions, and that was what this young doctor did. He hands over the baby girl to the nurse and tells his wife that the baby girl died. The nurse proceeds to take the baby girl to the institution, but cannot bear to leave her there, and raises her as her own.

Perhaps the gesture of the doctor seems cruel, but we are soon given insight deeper reasons why this doctor chose to do what he did. We learn that his little sister had suffered from down syndrome and passed away when she was only 12 years old. Leaving sorry and pain for his family. The doctor was never able to come to terms with the pain and the loss, and in his action of giving away his baby, he only hoped to spare his beloved wife and his family of the same fate. We see that after this initial act, an invisible wall begins to form in the family, tearing apart the once happy couple. The doctor is withdrawn, ridden with guilt from his action and his wife continues to grieve her loss and doesn't understand the distance she feels from her husband.

It is in this setting that the first family grows up. The doctor turns to photography and his work to try to escape his guilt and tries in vane to right his wrong. The wife is completely lonely, and turns first to alcohol to escape her sadness and her husband's distance. After wards, she gives up trying to reach out to her husband, she begins to be more independent and tries to work and commit herself to activities to forget about her dead daughter and her husband. Eventually, she turns to affairs. The son, grows up in a hostile home, with expectations to do well. He feels he never really knows his father, and when he discovers his mother's affairs, he doesn't understand why his father doesn't get angry or do anything about it.

At the same time, the nurse - who has never done anything risky in her life, makes a split second decision which changes her life completely. Raising the little girl, Pheobe, she moves to a new place and starts a new life, with Pheobe being her main priority. She struggles to fight for equal opportunity for her daughter in all aspects of her life, whether it be given a chance for education, for health care, for having a life of her own. Given that this was all taking place in the 1970's, it was no ordinary feat. But we see Pheobe, as a beautiful character. Although she has a disability, she is kind, smart and outgoing, and we learn to love her, and we love the nurse for the person she has become.

We observe almost 3 decades of these two families with alternating chapters. It's sad, but also hopeful. I think the theme of this novel is another universal one. The doctor never confronted his loss, and although he acted selfishly by giving up his daughter, he also acted love for his wife. He thought that by this action, he would be able to save his wife, himself, and his son from future heart ache and pain. The doctor eventually completely immerses himself in his work and and photography. He becomes a very famous doctor and his photography becomes widely recognized, but his life is empty.

At one of his exhibitions, he meets again with the nurse, and she says, "You missed a lot of heart ache, sure. But David, you missed a lot of joy." I think that is a central theme in this novel. You have to take risks for love. Love and pain are like ying and yang, you can't have one without the other. As human beings, I think we all try to protect ourselves from hurt and pain. We don't take chances because we are afraid of what may happen if we give all that we can give, and its not enough. And, so we don't do it. We give less than we can, so that if something fails, we believe it will hurt us less. In the case of the doctor, he was afraid to lose someone again, like the way he lost his sister. He tries to protect himself from it, and in the end, he ended up shutting everyone out - and hurting the people he first sought to protect. This is a quote from one of the doctor's reflections:

"David had tried so hard to give him everything. He had tried to be a good father. They'd collected fossils together, organizing them and labeling them and displaying them in the living room. He'd taken Paul fishing at every chance. But however hard he worked to make Paul's life smooth and easy, the fact remained that David had built that life on a lie. He tried to protect his son from the things he himself had suffered from as a child: poverty and worry and grief. Yet his very efforts had created losses David never anticipated. The lie had grown up between them like a rock, forcing them to grow oddly too, like trees twisting around a boulder."

Life doesn't turn out the way you plan them. But the important thing is to be true to your beliefs. I really like this quote from the nurse, upon reflection of her life after taking Pheobe, "This was her life. Not the life she had once dreamed of, not a life her younger self would ever have imagined or desired, but the life she was living, with all its complexities. This was her life, built with care and attention, and it was good." Life is complex, and it's messy but there is always hope - it may hidden and hard to find, but there is hope, and with hope, there is happiness.

This novel is also about forgiveness and accepting what fate deals us. When the wife finally discovers her daughter is alive, in some twisted way, she realizes the distance and the wall that she had once imagined between her and her husband was very real. And this secret was the foundation. The doctor had passed away at this point, and she has learned to move on, but the knowledge of daughter being alive is overwhelming. When speaking to her son about it, she says, "But you and I and Phoebe, we have a choice. To be bitter and angry, or try to move on. It's the hardest thing for me, letting go of all that righteous anger. I'm still struggling. But that's what I want to do."

It's hard for us to see any character as bad. I see the loneliness and the struggle behind each characters' actions, and at a certain level, I can relate. This is a great book, so beautifully written and elegant. Pain is something I think we can all relate to, but how we choose to deal with the pain, whether it be moving forward, or burying it deep inside us - is what defines our life and not the pain itself.

I Have Nothing - but Inspiration

And it's a great thing. I don't have anything to lose, and nothing to tie me down and prevent from doing - well, anything that I want, actually. These past couple of months have been a bit of a crazy roller coaster in my mind, although I may seem calm and somewhat collective on the outside.

On the brink of graduation, only less than 6 months away, a lot of my friends are frantically applying for jobs or post graduates studies - or both. And myself, I know I should be doing something, but I really don't have that much to show for my efforts. I've been doing a lot of thinking and researching, and my plans keep changing and evolving. It's like there are so many options out there, and every time I think of something new, it becomes yet another possibility. I almost want someone to just tell me to stop thinking of new options so that I can start to evaluate the options that I already have! But, it's a great thing to keep dreaming of new options, as frustrated as it can be :)

This past weekend, after a spur of random encounters, I was given the opportunity to attend the Impact Leadership Conference 2007 at the Sheraton Center. It was just AWESOME. I can't explain how I think this is what I really needed at this moment in my life. Although a lot of of people asked me if I was excited to be done university, I actually really wasn't. I was more scared because it seemed that school was such a safe place to be. But now I have to step out into the real world, and I was afraid of the "mundane-ness" of it. I was afraid to be stuck. I almost feel like I have to know what I want in my life, and I still don't.

Anyway, this conference had a panel of who I think are some of the most motivational speakers in the world. Two of them being Michael Lee Chin and Craig Keilberger. I still can't believe they came and spoke to us. Those two individuals are so extraordinary in so many ways, and their speeches were so inspiring and moving. They inspired me to make a difference, to help people who are less fortunate than myself using my skills and passions, and to surround myself with people who are positive and passionate themselves.

I realize that I am such a great position to be trying new things now. There is nothing stopping me. I should just go out, and try everything and then go from there. Post graduation is more than just landing that 6 figure salary - its about discovery what you want to do with your life. It's about not settling for what people are willing to offer, but creating opportunities that meet your expectations and that can make you a better person. I want to see what I like and what I'm passionate about, and then continue doing it - maybe even find a way to make it better.

*******

Now that I got that out of me! I have to go on a side rant. I'm not much of a clubbing person, but I enjoy a night out dancing every now and then. What I CANNOT stand are guys who just go up behind you and just start pumping away like no tomorrow. DUDE, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? Go hump a tree, for goodness sakes!! I mean, I like dancing - it can get good, it can get sexy, but it doesn't start like that. Show a little self control, if not some respect.

The Little Things...

"When I left, I didn't think I was making a choice. But it turned out I was." - Kim Edwards, The Memory Keeper's Daughter

The little things matter. Sometimes even more than the big things.

We all want to do important things, to do things that matter in the world. Sometimes we forget about the little things, but I am a true believer that it is the little things that define who we are. The decisions and choices we make - especially those which we keep to ourselves, are those that define who we are. And maybe we even rationalize to try to convince ourselves that our decision is right, with evidence and proof, so that we can feel better and try to find peace with our decision. And these are the decisions that start to shape our lives, and define our character and true self. These decision affect the people around you, whether it be with the best of intentions, or not. These decisions bind people to one another.

It's easier to make good decisions when you are in a position of comfort. But to able to make fair and just decisions in the face of adversity takes real courage and strength.

The Elephant Man

That's the name of the play that Con and I went to see last night. It was really good. Quite sad the way his life was lived and how society was - and perhaps still is - towards different people. I got some last minute tickets via one of my new favourite sites: www.tsoundcheck.com

This was my first play in a while, and I really enjoyed it. I guess there is something about live theatre that's captivating. So, I may go back for more. Thursday nights are either indoor soccer or my dosage of "culture" - which is usually a symphony orchestra. Not to mention that tickets are really cheap - $12, and one time I even got into a symphony orchestra with a really great guest violin soloist for just $6. I was reminded of my fondness of the orchestra at a school concert I went to in Singapore. I was never in band, but I loved listening to people play. There is just something magical about being able to create music.

So, I haven't written in a while. And although I've been busy, I kinda think about what I would like to write / discuss. It's just taken more time to sit down and write. Too many distractions... :p But thanks for checking back.

SO, what has happened lately in my life. Just the usual, keeping busy... Starting to think about after graduation stuff, and I should start applying for jobs soon. I think that Con and I are ready to start practicing our squash stuff. First, we need to get us some starter rackets. Belly dancing is going alright, I still feel weird and awkward, even though my instructor makes it look really easy and good. I'm working on it. But it's definitely a lot of fun, and makes me feel very feminine and sensual (when I do it right - the easier steps, that is) Rock climbing and CN Tower climb was last weekend! A LOT of fun, and I will definitely do them both again! And of course, one of the climaxes of this term: shopping in Buffalo this weekend. I've been busy researching on my potential boot purchases. I want a flat boot, preferably something more casual, but not too casual. Something that I can be comfortable and warm in, yet, not look like a bum, and MAYBE even somewhat stylish. Yes, its a challenge, but like I said, I've been doing my research.

It's going to be my anniversary soon. One year with just me, and myself. It's strange how time flies, and it doesn't even seem like it's been a whole year. But it has. It's funny the way things start, the way things end, and how new things start. For instance, I'm swimming on a somewhat regular basis now. And you know how it started? It started by me trying it for what may not be the best reasons back in third year (hehe...) but in the end, here I am, averaging about 15 laps of front crawl and I'm feeling less and less tired after each time ( I think I can definitely make it 20 now) when I hit the pool. I enjoy it, and I'm exercising, so, it's all good. I took salsa lessons cuz a friend asked if I wanted to take dance lessons, and I really like it and had a lot fo fun (even though I don't think my salsa skills have improved much, but my confidence has). I tried dragon boating cuz another friend needed girls on her team, and although I'm not much of a rower, I sure had a great time. Now its the same with squash and bellydancing. Just trying new things. So these are the things that I will be toasting to when Con and I go out for dinner to celebrate my anniversary. I guess it's to celebrate to new beginnings. Cuz sometimes, that's all you can do, when all that you thought you knew, really isn't.


I think I want to get a pet. I love dogs. This is Caeser. He's is one of the cutest and sweetest dogs I know. Even though he is huge, he's such a sweetie and such a gentleman. He's old now, 11 years old. Yes, I'm going to show him off here.


Lyrics for today, one of my favourite songs, and I really like the original but also the remix by David Usher.

Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision
You leave tonight or live and die this way

Fabulous

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." - Sex and the City

That's one of my favourite quotes of all time. No matter how many relationships you go through, the most important person to be true to is yourself.

When I was working in Boston last summer, it was the first work place that I could possibly picture myself working after graduation. To me, not only the work important, the people I work with is just as important. I was privileged to meet so many friendly, smart and kind ladies who later became my friends, and role models. It's tough now, but we still try to stay in touch with emails and pictures. It's so important to have role models. Different role models for different aspects of my life, I suppose. Lessons, and stories that they've shared with me, and that we've shared together will always be cherished. I think the most important lessons I learned was to not be afraid to take chances and to stand up for myself. Life is too short to have regrets, enjoy it!

I can't say that I haven't felt lonely these past while. But that's not to say its a bad thing. It definitely gives me a chance to heal, to reflect and think about what I want. In addition, it's almost like I'm rediscovering a part of me, that I had neglected while being in a relationship. Those 5 years were some of the best times of my life, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. No regrets. But I've also neglected other parts of me during that time, that I'm discovering now, and it's exciting and fun. Taking chances and trying things that I previously would not have tried. Not being afraid to be on my own, taking one day at a time, and getting to know myself again, and knowing my worth.

Most of the week I'm pretty busy after work, and it's fun. Lots of energy to burn in this lovely fall weather. Squash and belly dancing on Wednesdays, Soccer with co-workers every other Thursdays and going to the symphony on the other Thursdays, Badminton on Fridays... and either hitting the gym or pool on the left over days... or going home for the weekend. Not to mention dining out FOODINESS :) and SHOPPING :) and of course, COOKING!

I think I can see myself living in a big city, like Toronto. Very different from Brampton. :p

Hmm... Lyrics for this post are 2 songs that just make me wanna dance every time I hear them ;) You should definitely check them out, turn up the music, and DANCE!

PS. Con and I started watching the Bachelor. I'm not sure why we are watching this garbage. But it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion... you just can't stop....

Push Up on Me - Rihanna

We break, break (repeat x3)
We break em’ down
We break, break (repeat x3)
We break em’ down

It’s getting later baby and i’m getting curious
Nobody’s looking at us, i feel delirious
Coz the beat penetrates my body
Shaking inside my bones
And you pushing all my buttons
Taking me outta my zone yeah!!

The way that you stare starts the fire in me
Come up to my room, you sexy little thing
And let’s play a game, i won’t be a tease
I’ll show you the boom, my sexy little thing

I wish you would push up on me
I wish you would push up on me
I wish you would light me up and say you want me, push up on me
(repeat)

I know many guys just like ya, extremely confident
Got so much flava wit ya, like you’re the perfect man
You wanna make me chase ya, like its a compliment
Well let’s get right down to it, i can be the girl That’ll break you down

The way that you stare starts the fire in me
Come up to my room, you sexy little thing
And let’s play a game, i won’t be a tease
I’ll show you the boom, my sexy little thing

I wish you would push up on me
I wish you would push up on me
I wish you would light me up and say you want me, push up on me
(repeat)

We break, break (repeat x3)
We break em’ down
We break, break (repeat x3)
We break em’ down

I wanna see how you move it, show me, show me how ya do it
Ya really got me on it, i must confess, i must confess
Baby there aint nothing to it, baby who you think u fooling
You wanna come and get me outta my dress

The way that you stare starts the fire in me
Come up to my room, you sexy little thing
And let’s play a game, i won’t be a tease
I’ll show you the boom, my sexy little thing

I wish you would push up on me
I wish you would push up on me
I wish you would light me up and say you want me, push up on me
(repeat)

We break, break (repeat x3)
We break em’ down
We break, break (repeat x3)
We break em’ down

Whine Up - Kat Deluna

[Elephant Man]
It´s summertime
Ladies looking hot
Shaking up what they´ve got
Elephant Man and Kat, c´mon

[Verse 1]
Sense is telling me you´re looking
I can feel it on my skin (Whoa)
Boy I wonder what would happen
If I trip and let you in
Don´t get shook my my aggression
I just might be the one
Let´s skip this conversation
Just whine your body up

(Ha ha ha)
Don´t wanna wait no more
(Ha ha ha)
You got what I´m searching for

[Pre Hook]
Cuz I´m feeling your vibing
I´m riding high is exotic
And I want you, I want you here
Pull me closer and closer and
Hold me tight to your body
I wanna feel you, I wanna feel you near

[Chorus:]
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!

[Ivy Queen]
A ese nene lo tengo trikiao (oye)
Cuando lo bailo lo bailo de lao
Y lo empujo lo tengo tumbao
Con mis caderas lo tengo amansao wind!

[verse 2]
Boy keep doing what you´re doing get me hot
Winding up your body you don´t have to stop
My temperature is rising want you more than before
It´s an animal attraction, whine your body up

[Whine Up lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

(Ha ha ha)
It´s the magic on the floor
(Ha ha ha)
I don´t wanna wait no more

[Pre Hook]
Cuz I´m feeling your vibing
I´m riding high is exotic
And I want you (and i want you too), I want you (and I want you too) here
Pull me closer and closer (closer and closer) and
Hold me tight to your body
I wanna feel you (I wanna feel you too), I wanna feel you near

[Chorus:]
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!

[Elephant Man]
Right here
now bring your body to me right here
she's got the finest body I fear
shake your booty off
shake it off in high gear
and she runs her fingers to my ear
and all the black mons got white fear
and she shakes her booty right here
now pump up the volume right here

(woah woah woah)
It´s rifing
(woah woah woah)
Give me the whine now

C´mon!

[Chorus:] [3x]
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!
Whine up, whine up, whine up, oye!

Lo cuero, toca los cueros
Loca e que ta!!
She´s crazy!

A Fine Balance

Once in a while, you read a book that is not only able to entertain you and capture your attention, but really touch a part of you that you forgot about. A book that can reach into your heart, and awaken compassion in you, and not only do you feel the pain of the characters, they come alive in the people you see everyday.

I love reading. It really takes you into another world, another era, another - well, everything. I have read so many good books, there are books that I can stay up all night reading, but not too many books really change the way you look at the world, and Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance, is definitely one of those books. I highly recommend this book to everyone. This books takes place in India during the State of Emergency in the 1970's. We are introduced to 4 seemingly different characters: a widow seamstress in the city, 2 tailors from a small village, and a young student. We are introduced to the cruelty of the caste system in the villages, the struggle for women's independence, the effects of modernization and the loss of nature... But above all, I believe the main theme is universal to all cultures - the need for compassion in society. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone. It truly is a rare, powewrful and beautiful book.

A song on the radio really caught my attention. I love the lyrics and the music. It's amazing how music can put my thoughts and feelings into one beautiful package. I hope you enjoy the lyrics, I really like them...


Over You - Chris Daughtry

Now that it's all said and done,
I can't believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down,
Like an old abandoned house.
What you said when you left
Just left me cold and out of breath.
I fell too far, was in way too deep.
Guess I let you get the best of me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

You took a hammer to these walls,
Dragged the memories down the hall,
Packed your bags and walked away.
There was nothing I could say.
And when you slammed the front door shut,
A lot of others opened up,
So did my eyes so I could see
That you never were the best for me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
Well I'm putting my heart back together,
'Cause I got over you.
Well I got over you.
I got over you.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through

One of my first times dining out in Toronto was last weekend for Charle's birthday. We went to 5th Elementt on Bay and Bloor http://www.5thelementt.com/. The atmosphere was really good, and the food was delicious and surprisingly well priced! A group shot of the "fantastic four" below.



I went out for dinner with a friend from Singapore tonight after work, again in Yorkville, at a place called "Spuntini". An upscale Italian restaurant, which is apparently frequented by celebrities :) We made reservations (apparently you can't get in without one!), and we felt like 2 "grown up" women making reservations and dining out. The food was delicious, I had some great pasta - and for basically the same price as East Sides ($13.95)!!! The atmosphere was amazing, great service. I was definitely not used to the waiter placing the napkin in my lap. lol.... All in all, a great time, check it out, I highly recommend it! http://www.spuntini.ca/

...Backtracking to Montreal...

I just realized I didn't write much about my Montreal trip. So here goes:

It was some last minute planning and since we only had about 2.5 to 3 days, we wanted to plan this so that we could at least know where we want to be and where to stay to be near these places. We were taking the Greyhound, and got a pretty good deal, although I think that we can find even cheaper tickets, from some random bus company. Our tickets costs us $90 return :)

We stayed at a YWCA hostel right in the heart of Montreal right by rue St. Catherine's (aka shopping heaven!) The first night we went, we just dropped off our stuff, freshened up and then went off for dinner at a highly recommended Mexican place - 3 Amigos. They had some really quesadila's and the daiqueries looked so tempting, but we wanted to hit up a jazz club that night. The jazz club was interesting - in more ways than one. I think I need a couple lessons in flirting back and such... lol... Besides, that I think that the jazz would have been more enjoyable if it was over dinner, and we weren't sitting right by the band. I think we were all pretty tired after that. I think I just passed out when my head hit the pillow.

The next day, we went to some touristy attractions - the biodome, the insectarium and the botanical gardens. It was enjoyable, although nothing too extra ordinary. I'm not sure what it is, I think when I was younger when I went, everything seemed so much "extra ordinary" ... Anyway, later that night, we head out to a local Italian place that was packed for dinner. It was a pretty good choice with great food and big proportions at a pretty reasonably price. We were going to head out to a club, although it was probably going o be pretty dead on a Wednesday night. However, it was pouring, and being the wimps that we were, we decided to just stay in and have a night of cards and some drinks. We had an "interesting" experience opening the Corona's... lol... involving some step by step instructions on how to open the untwistable tops (refer to the picture below).

On our last night, we take advantage of our prime hostel location and shop til we almost drop. I got a fall jacket / sweater for $30, a work skirt at Mexx for $25, 3 tops at Tristan & America
for $5 each. We head to a local deli for some authentic Reuben Sandwiches, and they were huge - waayyy too much meat for my liking, but you gotta have a Reuben sandwich when you go to Montreal! Of course, we also had poutine :) After lunch, we headed over to Old Montreal to see the Basilica of Notre Dame. It was gorgeous, probably one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in. We ended the night with the diaqueries from 3 Amigos and make our way to BeriUQAM to head back on the Greyhound to home sweet home Toronto.

Night buses are never too fun. You never get much sleep in the awkward sitting position, and they always arrive early. So we were stuck in Toronto at 5 am, and we wait for the Subway to start running to take us back to Brampton. What a journey....

On a side note, the people you travel with are very important. I can definitely see potential friction arising from different expectations, and opinions. Glad this one worked out! Now I have more confidence to plan another trip. A longer time frame would definitely be a plus.

For now, I'm just going enjoy this term in Toronto. Definitely going to be more active, signed up for a bunch of activities. The traveling and eating out is catching up to me. :P Not to mention all the great food in Toronto that I can enjoy guilt free with a healthy exercise schedule.

Moi = A Big City Girl

So I've officially moved to Toronto for the fall :) Con and I are living in a basement apartment which we have nicknamed our "hobbit house". The place is nice and we really got a great deal, everything is really small and cute and I almost feel like we're going to be playing house or something for the next four months. Pretty close to the subway and getting to work only takes about half an hour.

Work is same as any other first week. Nothing much happening just random stuff. Working in downtown is pretty neat, I can certainly get used to the shopping and food. So much to do. I've been looking into some stuff to keep me busy this term, and maximize my time here as a big city girl. :)

I feel like I've been on the go for the last little bit, and its nice to start settling back into a routine again. Of course, I'm still living out of a suitcase until Con and I move our stuff into our hobbit house this weekend. But after that, and after converting the living room to my room, I think things should be more settled down. It really annoys me not having a routine, or straying from a routine. I mean its nice as a break, but after that break, I like to be in that routine again, and it bugs me when I'm not in it. Anyway, this is probably me just starting to sound old now.

So I have big plans for this fall term. I feel like I've always lived so close to Toronto and yet have never really experienced it. Lots of shopping, eating and activities I want to join :) I didn't realize how much of a "non city" person I was til Con and I were walking along the street and we were both just in awe of how much people, and things there were out on the streets. I feel like how I did in Boston, like one of the characters on Sex and they City. I'll be a big city girl with my own favourite place for sushi, for coffee, for breakfast on weekends, and everything in between. Not to mention that the Toronto Film Festival is starting soon, and maybe I can even catch some of the movies.

Its a little scary how this is my last work term before heading back to only four more months of school. I still don't really know what I want to do after wards. I have ideas, but they haven't melded to make a clear "vision" yet. But it's ok, I'll just take it one day at a time, and enjoy it.

Anyway, I took some personality quizzes, and here are the results. I think they're rigged cuz both Con and I got the same results for both tests. Very suspicious. Enjoy, and it's off to bed at 10 30 for this big city girl! :)

O yes, and I've also added some of my favourite pics from my trip to Montreal with the girls. It was a great time, and this was my first time being the person planning the trip. We have to do it again, perhaps, next time in NYC?? :D

What Kind of Guy Will You Fall For?
	You would fall for the geek. If you're looking for love, consider spending a little more time studying up in the library. To you, there's nothing more attractive than intelligence, shyness, and kindness; your future love may have four eyes and zero social skills, but he'll make up for it in brains and heart.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Which Sex and the City Character Are You?
	You are Carrie. You know what you want out of a relationship and you're not afraid to keep moving until you get it. Wit and charm are your biggest turn-ons, and you like guys who appreciate you for your mind as much as your body. You have fun playing the dating game, but secretly you just can't wait to find the guy who sweeps you off your feet and carries you into the sunset.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Hakuna Matata

So, my family and I just got back from CUBA :)

It was an awesome week of beaches, sand, sun, food and family time. With all of us going to work or school at one time or another during the year, it is really rare that we get to hang out as a family for longer than a week or two at a time. It was great to have nothing to worry about, no errands to run for an entire week, and just enjoy it.

We spent quite a lot of time on the beach, and I have gotten very very dark. Yea, I might even pass for a brown person, skin colour wise. lol... My dad got a pretty bad sun burn on the second day, and had to stay out of the sun for most of the trip.

The beach was gorgeous!! The water was so clear and there were so many fishes!!!!! They would just swim around your feet, and kind of "nimble" at it. LOL.... I think I even saw a barracuda!!! Reminded me of scuba diving in SE Asia.

The food was really good. So many exotic fruits and foods to try. It was mostly all-you-can-eat buffets, but we had three a-la-carte dinners included in our package also, for some variety. Not to mention the Cuba waiters weren't too hard to look at and are really friendly. ;) Since me and my sisters were probably one of the few Asians in the entire resort, I think we were easily recognizable. People kept asking me if I knew I looked like Lucy Lui. I think it's cuz Lucy Lui is the only famous Asian woman they know... cuz I certainly don't think I look like her. LOL.... Nonetheless, the compliment is much appreciated.

O yes, alcohol was FREE. Have as many cocktails, beer, wine, champagne as we liked. It was like juice! :P
We were going to buy a bottle of water in the gift store, but realized that it was probably more worth it to buy rum.
Bottle of 1.5L of water = $2.20
Bottle of 700mL of rum = $3.30

My only complaint is the MOSQUITOES. Apparently, I am the tastiest person in my entire family. I know this because I get an average of nine bites every time we venture out at night. grrr.... I have lost track of how many I got, but I'm guestimating it to be around 70 bites on the entire trip. :(

It was a fantastic trip, and I was sad to leave the fantasy world and come back to reality. Everyone was so easy going there. I'm going try to adopt more of an "hakuna matata" attitude. No worries :)

Anyway, that's a quick recap. More to follow if I have time in the next few days before the trip to Montreal with my girls!! :) Here are a few of my favourite pics from the trip!! Enjoy.

Hasta la vista, CUBA! :)

Loving Summer 2007

Leaving for Cuba in a few hours. This summer has been great, despite school :). I'm gonna enjoy every last drop until I have to start my work term. And even when that happens, I'm still gonna have a great time.

Quite a few things have happened since my last entry. Here's a brief recap:

- Studied for exams :(
- Wrote exams :(
- FINISHED exams! :)
- Taste of the Danforth
- Forever 21 (again!)
- Packed and moved out of my Waterloo home for 8 months ** tear
- Home time (home, sweet home)
- Unpacked UW stuff and repacked to get ready for Cuba and the move to Toronto!
- Woodbine beach with the UW asian gang
- Karaoke night! (haven't done that for a while!)
- Planning for Montreal trip after Cuba :) - super excited about that, as well!
- Leaving for Cuba


I hope everyone is enjoying summer 2007 as much as me! This is still no comparison to Summer 2006, but it's all good. More to come after Cuba.

Ciao~


The song that I absolutely can't get out of my head now is "Apologize" by One Republic. The lyrics are alright, but I love the instrumental. Anyway, here are the lyrics, google the song, it's amazing!

Apologize (Feat. One Republic)

Timbaland

I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say
But I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down
But wait...
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say...

That it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

I'd take another chance, take a fall,
take a shot from you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
(But that's nothing new)
Yeah yeah

I loved you with a fire red, now it's turning blue
And you say
"Sorry" like an angel
heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
Woahooo woah

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, a yeah

I'm holding your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground...

"She's my person"

Time waits for no man. Time heals all wounds. All any of us want is more time. Time to stand up, time to grow up, time to let go, time.

It's the start of exam. My first one is in about 2 hours, and I'm just gonna post up some of my favourite Grey's quotes. Yes, only SOME, cuz I like a lot of them. :)

Here goes, enjoy!

Cristina Yang
She’s my person.
This is not about getting her approval, its about…
Telling her makes it, makes it….
If I murdered someone, she’s the person I’d call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor.
She’s my person.

Denny Duquette
I've been lying in this bed for close to a year, and I've had a lot of time to look back on my life. And the things that I remember best – those are the things I wasn't supposed to do and I did them anyway. The thing is: life is too damn short to be following these rules.

Meredith Grey
At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them. But there are some lines... that are way too dangerous to cross.

Pain. You just have to ride it out. Hope the wound that causes it heals. Most of the time pain can be managed, but sometimes the pain gets you when you least expect it. Hits way below the belt and doesn’t let up. Pain. You just have to fight through because the truth is you can’t outrun it, and life always makes more.

You don’t get to call me a whore. When I met you, I thought I had found the person that I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I was done. So all the boys, and all the bars, and all the obvious daddy issues, who cared? Because I was done. You left me. You chose Addison. I’m all glued back together now. I make no apologies for how I chose to repair what you broke. You don’t get to call me a whore.

Izzie Stevens
I believe we survive, George. I believe that believing we survive is what makes us survive.

Derek Shepherd
She asked me to tell you… She wanted you to know… that if love were enough… that if love were enough, that she’d still be here with you

Alex Karev
For a kiss to be really good, you want it to mean something. You want it to be with someone you can’t get out of your head, so that when your lips finally touch you feel it everywhere. A kiss so hot and so deep you never want to come up for air. You can’t cheat your first kiss. Trust me, you don’t want to. Cause when you find that right person for a first kiss, it’s everything.

I like your rack and I’d want them around if I could have them, trust me I would, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you got rid of them… because really, I’d want *you*.
[Izzie slaps him]


Another one of my new favourite songs this summer. I first heard it during the car ride on our pre-exam shopping spree (pics below of us hanging out in beautiful Oakville), and haven't been able to get it out of my head since. And Forever 21 is now on my list of favourite stores, check it out: http://www.forever21.com/.

4 In The Morning - Gwen Stefani

Waking up to find another day
The moon got lost again last night
But now the sun has finally had its say
I guess I feel alright

But it hurts when I think
When I let it sink in
It's all over me
I'm lying here in the dark
I'm watching you sleep, it hurts a lot
& all I know is
You've got to give me everything
Nothing less cause
You know I give you all of me

[CHORUS]
I give you everything that I am
I'm handin' over everything that I've got
Cause I wanna have a really true love
Don't ever wanna have to go & give you up
Stay up till Four In The Morning & the tears are pouring
& I want to make it worth the fight
What have we been doing for all this time?
Baby if we're gonna do it, come on do it right

All I wanted was to know I'm safe
Don't want to lose the love I've found
Remember when you said that you would change
Don't let me down
It's not fair how you are
I can't be complete, can you give me more?
& all I know is
You got to give me everything
& nothing less cause
You know I give you all of me

[CHORUS]
I give you everything that I am
I'm handin' over everything that I've got
Cause I wanna have a really true love
Don't ever wanna have to go & give you up
Stay up till Four In The Morning & the tears are pouring
& I want to make it worth the fight
What have we been doing for all this time?
Baby if we're gonna do it, come on do it right

Oh please, you know what I need
Save all your love up for me
We can't escape the love
Give me everything that you have

& all I know is
You got to give me everything
& nothing less cause
You know I give you all of me

[CHORUS]
I give you everything that I am
I'm handin' over everything that I've got
Cause I wanna have a really true love
Don't ever wanna have to go & give you up
Stay up till Four In The Morning & the tears are pouring
& I want to make it worth the fight
What have we been doing for all this time?
Baby if we're gonna do it, come on do it right

(Give you everything)
(Give you all of me)